We Tried the 10x10 Challenge & This Is What Happened

If you read our previous article regarding minimalist dressing, then you’re familiar with the 10x10 challenge. Basically, it kickstarts the minimalist dressing mentality by forcing you to dress with 10 items of clothing (shoes included) for 10 days. It doesn't seem that daunting because unlike the Project 333 or Konmari Method, it’s shorter – after all, it’s only 10 days.

Both NTCH founders, Vivian and Victoria, tried the challenge to see how realistic it was and let’s just say…one of them did better.

Vivian’s Version

In my defense, I did not remember that shoes were a part of this, so technically… I stuck to the rules. I semi-successfully dressed in 10 items of clothing but added 3 pairs of shoes; so according to the rules, I lost.

THE PROS:

I loved getting more creative with my essentials! I literally had everything spread out on top of my bed and had to remember past combos. If something had already been worn, I would grab one piece and move it across the bed to see what other piece worked.

It was fun in that sense, the playfulness of dressing. For example, a cardigan that I normally just wear open also worked as a dress or skirt and my grey v-neck t-shirt was made into a crew neck by wearing it backwards.

Another plus: since I could not grab from the rest of my closet (which had all my favorite statement blazers), I saved WAY more time in choosing what to wear. There was no countless outfit changes; I had 10 pieces…that’s it.

the cons:

I FREAKING MISSED MY BLAZERS. I own so many cheetah prints, florals, and funky patterns that I always rely on to tie up or dress up outfits and I couldn’t use them!

After reading so much on minimalist dressing I was convinced that everything relied on neutrals and basics; that meant jeans, jackets, and t-shirts. Jeans and t-shirts works for my day to day but it got hard when I needed to dress up. Enter the booties… this is where I gave up… I rebelled against the shoes included policy and added them to my rotation.

the outcome:

All in all, I feel confident that I don’t have to shop for new clothes for a good while… if I survived thanksgiving weekend with 10 items for 10 days then I can milk the other 90% of my closet for years.

Victoria’s Version

If this were a competition (and because I’m an Aries, it was a lil’ bit), I would have won. I stuck to the maximum of 10 items, including one pair of shoes. I’m already the kind of person who will buy a pair of shoes and wear them for six months straight, so doing the same for a jacket and other pieces was a breeze.

The Pros:

What a relief to not have the overwhelming amount of clothes stuffed inside my closet staring at me every time I would get dressed. I like to have a set morning routine; minimizing the amount of decisions I make in the morning helps save my brain’s functioning for work and play throughout the day. The capsule closet helped heaps with that, by further condensing my wardrobe choices. This condensed closet also reminded me a lot of traveling – having a set amount of items to rotate through and get creative with. On-the-go mindset!

The Cons:

Selecting items that would seamlessly flow from work to day-to-day and social activities and etc. was extremely difficult. I work outside – this means durable comfy pants, and basic t-shirts. Never a blouse or a skirt or any kind of non-practical outfit. But when socializing, I like to let a little flair come through. The hardest aspect for me wasn’t to limit myself to pieces, but to find pieces that worked in the multiple levels of formal and casual that my week to week life embodies. Because it was a holiday weekend, I prioritized picking more-flair pieces and ended up going to work dressed up a lil’ more than my usual comfy pants & t-shirt...ah well.

the outcome:

Bottom line: I would definitely do this challenge again, and again, and again. Even after just ten days, I feel that my future decision making skills in buying clothes will shift. No longer led by do I like this? I want to include more questions concerning functionality. How much will I actually wear this? Can I wear it at work as well as outside of work?

Capsule closets also promote wearing what you already own – recognizing that we really don’t need endless amounts of clothing, constant wardrobe updates, or even a wide variety to choose from. Simplicity truly is key.